Popert storms to EDGA Hero Open 2021 victory

Tournament Report

Kipp Popert carded a stunning bogey-free final round of 66 to win the EDGA Hero Open at Fairmont St Andrews, the third event of the 2021 EDGA European Tour season.

The Englishman, who has cerebral palsy affecting his lower body, continued his recent fine form from the English Open for Golfers with a Disability, which he won in June, as he improved on his first round score by 11 strokes to sign for a one under par total.

Popert made the turn on Sunday two under par and then finished with a flourish as he made four further gains on the back nine, with birdies on the 17th and 18th holes.

“I’m speechless,” said Popert. “I’ve been training for this my whole life, I knew I had it and just let it happen. It’s so satisfying. I’ve been training at my home club Wildernesse, I used to tell everyone I’d do something like this – I don’t think they believed me it at the time.

“If you find your passion, follow it with everything you’ve got. I was very fortunate to have two amazing parents who have supported me all the way. Give everything you’ve got, if you do that and stay committed to what you want to do, you’ll get there.”

With victory, Popert has secured a place at the EDGA Dubai Finale, which will be held alongside the DP World Tour Championship, Dubai – the final Rolex Series event of the year – at Jumeirah Golf Estates in November.

Popert finished ten strokes ahead of American Chris Biggins and Belgium’s Adem Wahbi. They will be hoping to secure one of the three remaining places in Dubai at the end of the season, with the top three aggregate points scorers from the EDGA Hero Open and next week’s EDGA Cazoo Classic at London Golf Club also earning a place.

The European Disabled Golf Association (EDGA) initiative is taking place under the umbrella of the European Tour’s Golf For Good initiative – the Tour’s overarching Corporate Social Responsibility programme.

Scoring for the remaining EDGA tournaments will feature on the European Tour’s website and App for fans to follow, while the tournament world feed broadcast will also feature updates across the weekend, with the winners also part of the main prize-giving ceremonies.

‘Golf for Good’ is the umbrella name for the European Tour’s overarching Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) programme. It involves three main pillars:
Support for Worthy Causes: Which embraces all the charitable activity of the original 2020 Golf for Good initiative
Sustainability: Which embraces the Green Drive focus around our tournaments
Inclusivity and Health: Which embraces our Golfers with Disability and golf for all messaging, in addition to promoting the wider health benefits of the game.

EDGA European Tour Schedule
EDGA Cazoo Open – The Celtic Manor Resort (July 24-25) – won by Brendan Lawlor
ISPS HANDA World Disability Invitational presented by Brendan Lawlor – Massereene and Galgorm Castle (July 31 – August 1) – won by Brendan Lawlor
EDGA Hero Open – Fairmont St Andrews (August 7-8) – won by Kipp Popert
EDGA Cazoo Classic – London Golf Club (August 14-15)
EDGA Dubai Finale – Jumeirah Golf Estates (November 19-20)

Press Release by the European Tour Communications